Petersen ton helps Lions to bite back

A century from Alviro Petersen helped the bizhub Highveld Lions bounce back in their Sunfoil Series match against the Chevrolet Warriors at St George's Park in Port Elizabeth on Friday.

The first half of the match was dominated by a cluster of wickets falling with the Lions being bowled out for 157 in their first innings and the Warriors capitulating to 135 in response. The visitors then went to stumps on day two on 226 for two with a lead of 248 in the bag.

Petersen and Neil McKenzie steadied the ship in the final session as the pair combined for a 186-run partnership to put the Lions in control by the end of the second day.

The day started with the Warriors on 64 for three, still 93 runs behind the visitors and Colin Ingram was the first to fall on the second morning, with Hardus Viljoen getting a ball to nip back slightly and trapping the batsman in front of his stumps.

Adrian McLaren followed shortly after, trying to defend off the back foot but getting an edge through to the keeper instead.

With McLaren out for a duck and the Warriors on 65 for five, the hosts needed a solid partnership to steady the ship, but it wasn't to be as Wayne Parnell could manage just 15 runs before he was out leg-before to Zander de Bruyn.

Simon Harmer was out for a duck soon after with the ball coming back into his pads and a massive leg-before appeal from Chris Morris was given.

Ashwell Prince stuck it out until shortly after lunch before he came waltzing down the track trying to go for a big hit off Imran Tahir, but ended up stumped.

Andrew Birch followed him back to the pavilion after adding six and Ayabulela Gqamane added 11 before he too was sent packing.

The Lions had the slight edge, dismissing the Warriors with a lead still in hand but the visitors’ second innings started in similar fashion to their first and opener Stephen Cook was dismissed for five with Birch once again doing the damage.

Quinton de Kock followed after chipping in with 27 with Parnell rattling his stumps as the youngster completely misplayed a delivery.

Petersen and McKenzie then knuckled down and survived until stumps with Petersen unbeaten on 105 and McKenzie looking solid on 84 as the Lions look to seal second place in the Sunfoil Series after the Cobras snapped up the title earlier on Friday.